Therapeutic garment



Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES .PA-TENT OFF-ICE.

JAMES D. WILLMOT'I, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR '10 HORN SURGICALCOM- PANY, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

THERAPEUTIC GARMENT.

Application filed July 12,

areas adjacent lateral openings provided, as

for example in stockings, to permit protrusion of the heel-so that thecontractlle effect of the elastic is uniformly distributed and equalizedto the end of avoiding excessive contraction at any localized pomt.

With reference to the drawings herewith, Figs. I, II, III and IV arediagrammatic views illustrating successive steps in the production of atherapeutic stocking in accordance with my invention; and,

Fig. V ,is a View illustrating the manner in which the stocking is worn.I

In carrying out my invention I produce on a suitable circular ribknitting mach ne equipped with means for feeding elastic 1nlay yarnconcurrently with formation of the opposing loops by the two setsofneedles, a circular seamless blank such as depicted in Fig. I, having,in direct continuation, a leg portion 10 fashioned to taper confguration, (through regulation of the tenslon at which the elastic yarnis fed to the needles during knitting) a slightly attenuated narrowerfoot portion 11, and an appropriately shaped intervening circumferentialprotuberance 12 (for conversion into the heel as hereinafter explained)merging abruptly withthe portion 11 as indicated at 13. W th a blankthus prepared, I next proceed to disindividually and rounds of theelastic yarn within the bulged area, after the manner shown in F g. II,with the aid of a suitable quill or point 14, until the forward portionof the foot 11 forms a substantially straight line continuous with theleg portion 10, the ultimate result being illustrated in Fig. III. Alateral incision is then made in the fabric as shown at 15 in Fig. IVdirectly beneath the displaced protuberance along the line 13 of abruptmergence with the foot iportion 11. The edges of the cut may be finishedin any suitable manner after cutting, as for explace the protuberance 12all to one side by rogressively pulhng the 1926. Serial No. 121,745.

ample,'by over-edge stitching, or better still, by binding in the loopsof the two adjacent courses marking the line of out before actualseverance, by use of additional elastic yarn drawn through the edgeloops, thereby to predetermine a neater and more attractive appearance.

Consequent upon relaxation of the fabric after cutting, the displacedprotuberance 12 takes an offset position in conformity with the shape ofthe human heel and overhangs the contiguous border edge of the footportion 11 as shown in Fig. IV. Thus, when the stocking is worn, thecontractile influence of the elastic is distributed and equalizedcrosswise of the heel to the same extent as in other parts of thegarment, thereby according the wearer the utmost comfort consistent withmaintenance of the desired pressure for attainment of the therapeuticeffect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of producing seamless therapeutic garments which comprisesknitting a tubular blank with incorporated elastic inlay yarn andincidentally fashioning a circumferential protuberance; and thereaftertransposing the fullness of the protuberance all to one side of thetube.

2. .The [method of producing seamless therapeutic garments whichcomprises'knitting a tubular blank with incorporated elastic inlay yarnand incidentally fashioning a circumferential protuberance; and thendrawing upon the rounds of the elastic yarn Within the fashioned area totranspose the fullness all to one side of the tube.

3. The method of producing seamless therapeutic garments which comprisesknitting a tubular blank with incorporated elas-.

tic inlay yarn and incidentally fashioning a circumferentialprotuberance; then transposing the fullness of the protuberance all toone side of the tube and forming an opening adjacent said protuberanceby a lateral cut into the tube.

4. The method of producinga seamless therapeutic stocking whichcomprises knit ting a tubular blank with incorporated elastic inlay yarnand incidentally fashioning a tapered leg portion, a narrow instepportion of substantially uniform diameter and an interveningcircumferential protuberance;

then transposing the fullness of the protuberance all to the back" ofthe stocking bular seamless therapeutic stocking having a lateralopening whereof one edge protrudes circumferentially beyond the otheredge.

6. As a new article of manufacture,' attubular seamless therapeuticstocking having a lateral opening, Whereof one edge forms the boundaryof a partial circumferential p'otubcrance and projects beyond the othere ge.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a tubular seamless therapeuticstocking with incorporated elastic inlay yarn having a lateral heelopening whereof the upper edge protrudes circumfei'entially beyond theower edge.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a tubular' seamless therapeuticstocking with incorporated elastic inlay yarn having a fashioned ankle,and a lateral heel opening whereofthe upper edge protrudescircumferentially beyond the lower ed 9; As a new article of manuacture, a tubular seamless therapeutic stocking with incorporatedelastic inlayyarn having fashioned leg. and ankle portions, a narrowinstep portion, and a lateral heel opening whereof the upper edgeprotrudes circumferentlally beyond the lower edge.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name atPhiladelphia,'1ennsyl- Vania, this 9th day of July, 1926.

- JAMES D. WILLMOTT.

